Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke takes credit for jobs in works before his term

MORE MAYORAL UPDATES

• During his Rotary Club speech, Berke rolled out a 2014 deadline for his High Point Initiative to reduce violence by cracking down on drug dealers. The program is based on the city in North Carolina where it first was employed.

"Under this strategy you make an example of a group of gang members," Berke told the crowd. "We will reduce the shootings with High Point. It's tough. It's effective. It works."

• Berke also cited a $6 million city project to connect Central Avenue to Amnicola Highway, opening up parcels of land around Erlanger hospital. He said he has been working closely with residents of Lincoln Park who would be affected by the project.

On day 94 in office, Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke stood before a packed Rotary Club crowd and took credit for 917 new jobs.

Berke praised the economic development efforts of the Chattanooga Area of Commerce, River City Co. and other groups.

"Before I was elected, though, no one in City Hall took responsibility for creating jobs," Berke told club members Thursday. "The city is now a part of our recruitment, retention and expansion strategy. And it's working. Since April 15, 917 new jobs have been created in the city."

However, records show the bulk of the job creation touted by Berke originated during the years his predecessor, Ron Littlefield, was in office.

Convergys, the largest job creator on Berke's list, announced it would add 500 jobs 18 days after he took office and 12 days before he had hired a director of economic and community development.